Location: Oakland
Top Things to do in Oakland
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Oakland, California (CA)
Oakland, in the hub of the Bay Area, is both historic and modern. Visitors will find a little bit of everything in this diverse metropolis, from the picturesque waterfront to expansive hills. Explore Oakland's growing arts, entertainment and food scene or enjoy recreational opportunities like hiking, sailing and biking. Root for one of the three professional sports teams or take a tour of a historic landmark. The city is easily accessible through Oakland International Airport, train, automobile, BART, bus and ferry.
Restaurants in Oakland
1. East Bay Regional Park District
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 108 reviews
The official designation given to the numerous parks found in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
Reviewed By TV2451
The parks in the East Bay are immense and beautiful. A total gem to be used and treasured. Lots of recreation opportunities here in the great outdoors. Have a picnic and have fun.
2. Redwood Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By JerriKop - Oakland, United States
Redwood Park is our favorite local hiking spot, especially if we have our dog with us. There are many hiking trails, most are on easy hills, and many of the trails allow dogs off leash. Areas that dogs must be leashed are well marked; the Stream Trail is beautiful but dogs must be leashed to protect the watershed. Please note that the East Ridge Trail, to the left as you enter the park from the parking lot, is also a mountain biking trail. It's fine to walk your dog off leash on the East Ridge Trail but be wary of cyclists that don't always respect the "yield to humans and dogs" signs. The East Bay Regional Park system is a local treasure. The parks are well maintained and restrooms are scattered throughout the park. Bring your dog for a great day outdoors!
3. Oakland California Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 418 reviews
Open to the public, the Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Visitors can walk through the colorful gardens lined with towering palm trees, sit by the fountains and cascading waterfall, enjoy the beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay Area, and feel the peace of the grounds. While you're there, you can take a guided tour at the Visitors' Center, learn more about you're family's history at the Family Search Library, and attend events at the Temple Hill Auditorium. Only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can enter the temple itself. A coveted location for photographers, the Oakland Temple is one of the best locations to enjoy a sunset over the Bay. At night, the Oakland Temple is brightly lit and can be seen throughout the Bay Area. Devotionals, concerts, and performances are hosted throughout the month in the Temple Hill auditorium and most events are free.
Reviewed By tdhawk13 - Danville, United States
Bring your camera and enjoy the beautiful, serene atmosphere of this Bay Area landmark. I have visited often and taken a number of photos (see attached). Give yourself enough time to explore the flowers and lush landscaping, visual perspectives of the Oakland Temple from a variety of angles and distances, the view of the Bay, and the visitor center tour. I prefer going in the early evening before sunset and the early morning hour after sunrise.
4. Lake Merritt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 915 reviews
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
Reviewed By OaklandCa - Oakland, United States
It’s about 3 1/2 miles around. It’s beautiful and has a bird sanctuary. Lots of scooters, walkers, runners, strollers. Great people watching too!
5. Lakeside Park and Garden Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
One of the best public gardens in the state offers Japanese, Polynesian, and many other types of gardens.
Reviewed By TV2451
All of the area around the Lake is much improved including this lovely garden. Full of people, most on their walk around the Lake.
6. Rotary Nature Center and Waterfowl Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
7. Oakland Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 703 reviews
Oakland Zoo was established in 1922 and is managed by the Conservation Society of California, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife both locally and globally. The Zoo is home to over 850 native and exotic animals. We're recognized for our outstanding animal care, particularly our elephant care program, and for our Leed-certified, 17,000 square foot, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital—the largest wild animal veterinary facility in Northern California. June 2018 introduced Oakland Zoo guests to an entirely new experience, California Trail, a monumental expansion furthering our commitment to animal care, education, and conservation with a focus on this state’s remarkable native wildlife—both past and present.
Reviewed By Mister-Markie - San Rafael, United States
Is it so very hard to believe we were last here just 9 months ago. Seems like yesterday, yet so much has changed. The family needed a safe, fun place to spend some Thanksgiving calories, so our first choice was the zoo. Luckily, they are open (as of this writing!) and of course using whatever limitations and health routines they can to ensure our safety, the safety of the animals and stay open as much as possible to keep money coming in to this great place. We made an on-line reservation (required - no walk up admission purchases) as they are spacing entrance admissions. We were also limited to members of our household. And, of course, masks for all 3 years of age and older. Parking was easy, and we had no stroller so got in quickly - let the fun begin! As I mentioned, much has changed. Some changes and closures we knew of ahead of time, but others we learned as we went. The main closures we expected were the Adventure Landing (rides and train), the bug house and amphibian house, playgrounds, and the petting area. Surprisingly, the food services (Landing Café, Tuskers Grill, Giraffe Ridge, and food carts) were open, but no indoor seating. We didn't know this so took plenty of drinks and snacks. There is outdoor tables available, and the ones outside the Landing Cafe were being actively cleaned while we rested there, even if no one had been sitting there. The gondola up the hilltop to California Trail was open as well, with cabins being sprayed down between trips (and I saw a commercial fogger at the landing as well) and everybody getting a shot of hand sanitizer before boarding, both up and down. Most animals were accessible, other than those mentioned and areas like the kangaroo area usually accessible by the train. Indoor exhibits were closed as well. There was a good group of people out today, and it was good to see families and energetic kids getting a day of fresh air and animals. Most of the time it was easy to distance, and a few areas were crowded, due to the in-and-out design, such as the elephants, the lions, the warthogs and such, but people did well in general and most of the time we were not even near people! The animals were likewise distancing, and it was elusive time for coyotes, jaguars, mountain lions and black bears - did see a lone grizzly though! I guess I'd sleep in on a cold November morning too - yet here we were! One unexpected pleasure was all the sculptures set up for the zoo's "night lights" offering. TONS of animals and plants all around the zoo, colorful and ready for a dusk display - but they were amazingly beautiful in the daytime as well! A really cool extra treat this visit. Overall we enjoyed the zoo for a little over 2 hours. We visited all that was open, but without rides, playgrounds, petting zoo, indoor exhibits and sit down snack times, it was well under our average four hour visit. But a great day for getting back to a semi-normal day at the zoo. Hope there will be more in coming months - maybe a night visit!
8. Tilden Nature Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By cherylbrooklyn
In the Oakland hills, this park has something for everyone! A train ride and carousel for kids and adults, a Botanic Garden, a golf course, hiking trails. And spectacular views of the SF Bay
9. Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
10. Morcom Amphitheater of Roses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By liarsnf - San Diego, United States
We went to this great, largely undiscovered rose garden on Memorial Day weekend, and the roses were in full bloom with fragrance in full evidence. Also lots of prom dates getting photos taken, and so a lot more people than usual here. That also meant that the pair of turkeys that have been here for years were more retiring than normal. Still Tom was still visible. Parking can be a bit strained here. Inspired by the visions of beauty, we went to the nearby Ace Hardware garden center and bought some colorful blooms. Very, very local, with an honoring of Oakland Mothers of the Year.
